Will County veterans commission reports $28 million in VA claims, plans move to Copperfield site
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Summary
The Will County Veterans Assistance Commission told the County Board on Feb. 20 that it secured more than $28 million in VA claims for local veterans in 2023–24, expanded mental-health and transportation services and expects to move to a larger office at 1300 Copperfield adjacent to the VA Joliet clinic.
Jen Soleim, superintendent of the Will County Veterans Assistance Commission, told the Will County Board on Feb. 20, 2024, that the commission secured what she described as more than $28,000,000 in Veterans Affairs claims and financial assistance for county veterans and their dependents in 2023 and 2024 and is preparing to move into a larger facility at 1300 Copperfield in 2025.
The move, Soleim said during a presentation to the full board, would place the VAC next to the VA Joliet (Seebach) clinic and reduce transportation barriers by creating a “one-stop” location where veterans can get medical care and meet with VAC staff for benefits, food pantry access or other services. “We believe in going above and beyond with our services, and will never turn away a veteran who is seeking assistance,” Soleim said.
Nut graf: The VAC’s report underscores the scale of county-level veteran services in Will County — the commission said the county has roughly 26,000 veterans, the third-largest veteran population in Illinois after Cook and Lake counties — and outlines recent program growth in mental-health supports, transportation and benefits advocacy that county officials said brings federal funds and recurring income back into the local economy.
Soleim reviewed the commission’s programs and staff: the VAC has a mental-health coordinator and a peer recovery support specialist who run in-office and community recovery services; VAC staff work with the VA Orland Park Vet Center to provide one-on-one and group counseling; and the commission runs a donation-dependent food and sundry pantry stocked with items ranging from toothpaste to fresh meat and eggs through a partnership with Farm to Veteran. She also noted the VAC hosts an Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) officer in the same office, which the VAC said helps bridge county and state services.
On transportation, Soleim said the VAC provides van service for veterans to medical appointments and also uses its vans for food and donation pickups. In the presentation she reported providing “2 95 round trip rides” in 2024 (transcript wording). The VAC highlighted transportation as a primary barrier to care and said the new Copperfield location will reduce that barrier by co-locating near the VA clinic.
Soleim described staff accreditations and outside affiliations: VAC officers maintain accreditation with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of General Counsel and the commission is an active member of the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers (NACVSO). She said assistant superintendent Eric Capenaw and other staff are expanding outreach and that VAC service helped veterans obtain the VA claims increases the commission reported.
Board members thanked the commission and raised practical questions about donations and logistics. County Board Member Freeman asked about towels and use of the VAC shower facility; Soleim said the office had received towels but has temporarily converted a shower to storage because of space limits, and that donations remain welcome. Member Dean Schlotman and others offered personal thanks: Schlotman identified himself as a veteran and said VAC staff had provided services to his family. Member Deborah Berkewitz asked about the Copperfield move and potential capital improvements; Soleim said the timetable depends on the county’s capital-improvement process and that the relocation would expand space for current services and new programs.
The VAC’s presentation described staff and volunteers by name, including assistant superintendent Eric Capenaw, mental health coordinator Sam Lucco, peer recovery specialist Joe Martin, and commission president Larry Shaver. Soleim also introduced the VAC’s on-site emotional-support dog, Charlie, who she said has been used in outreach and to comfort veterans.
Ending: Board members asked the VAC to return with further details as the Copperfield project advances. Soleim left copies of the VAC’s 2024 annual governor’s report for board members and invited them to visit the office for tours and follow-up questions.